Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-02-16
The farm aud fireside.
SAWDUST ON THE FARM.

as an absorbent of the liquid elements of
manure exposed to moisture, and to supply
dry bedding and walks about stables and
barns, does not yet appear to be sufficiently
appreciated. The best element of all ma
nure is nitrogen. But as commonly man
aged, large part of this most important
item is allowed to run to waste in the water
that runs away from the stables, or that is
evaporated after rainfall. Farmers gen.
orally make no attempt to retain it, or pre-
vent this serious loss.
The free use of saWdust in and about the
stables and manure yard is the one cheap
and simple remedy for this waste. There
is no better absorbent material within our
reach, or one that makes "a cleaner, dryer
bed for any animal. It is not that it pos
sesses any manurial value of consequence
within itself, that makes saWdust so useful
to the farmer; but because it is so good as
an absorbent, and makes such nice, dry beds
and walks. With this there need never be
a bit of mud about stable yard.
Sawdust is an article which, wetitas much
as you please, and it never will become mud:
In most parts of the country it may be had
for the asking. 1t is light, easily handled
and is always cleanly. When one part in
stable gets foul there is no difficulty in sep
arating it from the rest. After use once, it
may be exposed to the sun and have the tn e
water evaporated from it without losing the
valuable salts that have been absorbed, and
so it can be used over and over again for the
same purpose.
But this article, according to Prof. Rodg-
ers, in Scientific A Agriculture, does possess ma
nurial value. Besides its value as an ab-
sorbent, its gradual decomposition adds two
or three per cent. of nitrogen to the soil,
and it is beneficial to stiff clays by render
ing them more loose and open. It is also
useful to stop washes, mend roads and COM
post with muck. Farmers would do well to
employ it quite largely, one way or anoth-
er, about the farm.-Ratral Magazine.
HEALTH HINTs.-None of the minor
s'ills" is more troublesome than an lngroW-
ing nail. BY pouring hot tallow over the
nail, the hardened flesh about it is shrunken
and relief is immediate.
When any part of the skin has been frozen,
apply ice, snow or cold water. The vicini-
ty of a fire and warm room should be avoid
ed. If the part blisters treat itas you would
a burn.
A drop of cold water, placed in the lobe
of the ear will put a stop to hiccough, or if
this does not produce the desired effect,
press firmly on the arteries of the wrist,
where the pulse is felt.
A growing inability to sleep in sickness
is ominous of fatal result; in apparent
health it indicates the failure of the mind
and madness; so, on the other hand, in dis
ease or dementia, very slight improve
ment in the sleeping should be hailed as the
harbinger of restoration.
A bad breath may be cured as follows, no
matter what the cause: Three hours after
breakfast teaspoonful of the following
mixture: Chlorate of potash, two drachms ;
sweetened water, four ounces; wash the
mouth occasionally with the mixture, and
the breath will be as sweet as an infants.
In cerebral exhaustion, active muscular
exercise in reasonable amount and variety
may be allowed and enjoyed; in spinal ex-
haustion, relative, and in some cases abso-
lutte rest is demanded, or only passive exer-
else for shorter or longer time, as may
be, according to special peculiarities OF the
Individual.
A correspondent of the Lancet says: ga
few years ago, when in China, l became ac-
quainted with the fact of the natives, when
suffering with facial neuralgia, using oil of
peppermint, which they lightly applied to
Since then, in my own practice, frequent
ly employ this oil as a local anesthetic, not
only in neuralgia, but also in gout, with re-
markably good results.-HealLh and Home.
->~-<---
THE USES OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF Ma
NURE.-To care for and apply the different
kinds of manure produced on any ordinary
farm to the best advantage, is no simple
matter. French farmers have proverb {:
"It is not he that sows, but he that manures
we'll, that gets the CROP" Not merely to
manure largely, but "well," is the problem.
The products of the stable, coW-house, pig
pen and sheep-fold differ in manurial value
and in composition, and are, therefore,
adapted to different uses. Agriculturists of
experience have laid down the general rule
that horse manure is most valuable on stiff,
clayey soils; that of COWS and oxen most
suitable to soils that are very light and dry,
while the contents of the pig-sty and sheep
fold are very improving to meadow lands,
but should be avoided in the cultivation of
vegetables for cooking purposes, to which
they often imparta rank odor. The general
sensible practice on an ordinary farm OF
mixing the various kinds of manure in one
heap, is due to the fact that what is lacking
in one kind is supplemented by the quail
ties of another sort, making good fertili-
zer for an average arabic soil in which nei-
ther stiff clay nor dry sand predominates.
It will pay any farmer, however, to study
the special uses of each kind of farm ma
nure. Then he will know where to put ma
nures to get the greatest value out OF them,
as we'll as how best to fertilize particular
lands and crops.-Boston Post.
SMALL BREEDS OF FowLs.-Though
small in size, the Leghorns and Hamburgs
grow rapidly and mature early. It requires